The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-03
THE REPUBLICAN REFORM.

THE REPUBLICAN REFORM.
The results of the last State election are de-
veloping in way that ought to be gratifying
to every good citizen. When 1.-THE campaign
of 1886 opened the Democrats were strongly
intrenched in power. They had the Gov
ernor and State officers, controlled every
branch of the State government, and had so
fortified themselves behind the gerrymander
that they expected to have a large majority
in the Legislature for some years to come.
The State institutions had been converted
into mere political machines, the southern
prison into school for corruption, Marion
county into nursery for election frauds, and
the whole State government into close cor
poration for the benefit Of the Democratic
party. They felt SO safe behind the gerry
mander that they gave full scope and free
license to the spirit of Democracy. The re-
suit was the most 6emoralized condition of
public affairs ever known in the State.
Yet, bad as things were, they were
had resulted as the Democrats expected it
would, If a sweeping Democratic victory,
the situation must soon have become desper-
ate. The Republicans went into the cam
paign to win. They were not discouraged by
the fortified position of the Democracy, nor
by the apparent odds against them. They
felt that, with a strong ticket, a good plat
form, an able leader, and powerful argu-
70 he moral IF ho
they had at least a good fighting chance.
Never was there political campaign better
planned, better organized better conducted
or more gallantly fought than this campaign
was by the Republicans. They made an
aggressive fight, exposing the rottenness of
the State administration, the outrageous in
justice of the gerrymander, the shameless
prostitution of the benevolent institutions,
the mismanagement of the States finances,
and the alarming growth Of pollti-
cal corruption under these demoralizing
influences The result splendid vic
tory. The Democracy were routed, horse,
foot and dragons. The Republicans elected
the Acknowledgements, all the State officers,
and majority of the members of the Legis-
lature voted for. 1t was only by the skin of
their teeth that the Democrats managed to
control one branch of the General Asse ably,
thus enabling them to inaugurate revolu-
the people. They will hear enough of that
hereafter. At present merely wish to
emphasize the completeness of the Republican
victory. 1t was a popular vote of want of
confidence in the Democratic party What
have been the resultsf Every charge made
by the Republicans during the campaign
has been sustained. The State finances
were found to be in perilous condition, from
which they were rescued just in time. The
management of the Insane Hospital was
shown to be rotten and corrupt to the last de-
gree. The condition of the southern prison
was shocking beyond description. That these
evils have been measurably reformed is di-
rectly due to the Republican victory last fall.
Does any person believe there would have been
any change or reform in any of these matters
if the Democrats had carried the State? Not
bit of it. Jack Howard would still have
been warden of the southern prison, the Har
rison and Gapen crowd would continue to
furnish diseased meat and maggoty butter to
the insane, State funds would still be
tout of town." and the Sim Coy gang would
be planning new villainies instead of squirm-
ing as they now are under indictments for
felony. These are practical results real Re-
publican reform. The people will award the
credit where it belongs. Governor Gray is a
shrewd politician, and his attempt to get in out
of the storm is characteristic. His removal of
Harrison and Gapen shows earnest desire
to save something out of the wreck, but it
comes very late. 1t is a tardy recognition of
the Republican victory of last fall It took
Governor Gray more than six months to dis
cover there was flood coming. All the fall
and winter he thought it wouldn't be much of
shower. 1t took him long time to realize
that the people really meant what they said
last fall. Without wishing to rob him of any
credit that may belong to his acts in this re-
gard, we simply remark that this is Repub-
lican reform. They have set it in motion,
and they will put it through. The people
have not forgotten, and will not soon forget.
that the Democratic party, including Gov.
Gray, Endorsed and defended the Infamous
record of which they are now trying to rid
themselves. Their tardy repentance is one of
the delayed results of the Republican victory
of last fall.
THE TALLY SHEET FORGERY GASES.
IF common rumor have any foundation the
United States district attorneys office is find